Oceanside Minor Hockey benefits from Classic

None of its three teams reached the championship game, but Oceanside Minor Hockey still came up a winner during its annual Bantam Winter Classic Hockey Tournament at Oceanside Place Jan. 5-7.

The tourney drew 14 teams from across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, providing each of the OMHA entries a chance to play four games in a tournament setting before a home crowd.

It also served as a fundraiser for the club, with a substantial raffle prize table featuring donations from businesses and individuals, 50/50 draws and more.

“We got lots of great local support and donations,” said Stephanie Cain, co-tournament co-ordinator along with Farrah Lewis.

Oceanside Team 1 opened the tourney with a win over Saanich, and very nearly earned a second win in its round-robin finale against Juan de Fuca. A goal by Jacob Colley with 8:05 remaining in the third period snapped a 4-4 tie, and Oceanside teammate Will Fox followed with a power-play goal a minute and a half later to stake the hosts to a 6-4 lead. But Juan de Fuca rallied to close the game with three straight goals — the game-winner coming with 32.5 seconds remaining — to claim a 7-6 victory.